Endodontics with Dr. Joe Grenn

Are root canals better than dental implants?

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:21:57 +0000

It is always preferable to have our own teeth. When it is no possible to save a tooth vua root canal therapy and the tooth must be lost, then a dental implant can be placed . This is a thoroughly painless procedure with excellent predictabilityReplacement of the tooth with an implant is preferable to a bridge since research has shown that teeth which are used to support a bridge are revisited 800% with dental problems more often than those that are not. . Dr.Grenn will be happy to discuss implant treatment with you in detail at any time.

Our Wonderful Staff

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:32:01 +0000

If you’ll notice, I call my staff ”wonderful”. And they are. Each is dedicated to providing compassionate and thoughtful care to our patients. Their average term of employment is twelve years. Their clinical and people skills are second to none I have ever seen. When you visit our office you will sense the feeling of a staff who’s main concern is your immediate comfort and professional and expert clinical treatment. I often say that I wish when the occasion arises that I were treated as a patient the way my staff treats our patients.

State of the Art Mcroscopes

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:08:04 +0000

Dr. Grenn pioneered the development of the operating microscope and was the first to introduce it and use it for all procedures in Northern California. The microscope enables diagnosis and treatment with greater certainty and predictability via maximum illumination and magnification. Thus, commonly overlooked aspects of treatment that would otherwise result in eventual failure of treatment are visualized, and expertly diagnosed and treated.

About Dr. Grenn

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:04:49 +0000

Dr Joseph J. Grenn, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, has been in private endodontic practice for over twenty years. He received his dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed his postgraduate residency in endodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine . A pioneer in the development of endodontic microscopic treatment, Dr. Grenn is a past president of the California Association of Endodontists, a Harvard fellow, assistant clinical professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry, and staff member of Kaiser and CPMC hospitals. In addition, Dr. Grenn is an international lecturer on utilizing innovative technology to provide the best of care. A charter member of the American Association of Microscopic Endodontists, he has also been honored with a life membership in the American Dental Association, California Dental Association and American Association of Endodontists.

Digital X Rays

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:50:08 +0000

What about digital X rays?
We all think of an “X ray” as a negative photograph. It is produced by exposing the film to a beam of rays and then processing it through chemical solutions. Digital “X rays” are exposed the same way but with a fraction of the radiation to the patient because a digital sensor is used instead of film and the results are digitally recorded by a computer. There are no harmful chemicals in the environment and , if the image needs to be adjusted , it can be done digitally without having to expose you to another dose of x rays. In addition, the image can be viewed instantly on the computer screen without the usual delay of film processing. It should be noted that excellent dentistry can be performed without digital radiographs but their use can make it a lot easier on the patient and the dentist.

About Dr. Grenn’s practice.

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:39:42 +0000

Our primary concern is to alleviate apprehension and provide the finest of care as comfortably as possible for our patients. Every patient is important to us and benefits from the most thoughtful care and the current technology. Our office is widely recognized as a leader in caring for the highly anxious and phobic patient. We perform all procedures utilizing low detection local anesthesia and, if desired, oral or intravenous sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or general anesthesia. Our specialty includes root canal therapy to retain natural teeth and implant placement to replace missing teeth. Dr. Grenn personally takes the time to thoroughly describe each step of our procedures so that our patients are fully informed and is available at any time to address questions before or after treatment.

We use the most current techniques and equipment, including flawless infection control; warm gutta percha; ultrasonic root end preparation in apical surgery; digital (low radiation) radiography; and the revolutionary endodontic operating microscope.

Our practice adheres to the highest standards of infection control in accordance with CDC and OSHA guidelines. We utilize the most current strict sterilization protocol to eliminate any risk of cross-contamination. All of our equipment is sterilized prior to treating each patient and sterilization equipment is carefully monitored for 100% effectiveness. In addition, we use only safe and effective materials in connection with your root canal treatment.

For the benefit of our patients,

we are unique in providing:

• Specialization in both Endodontics (root canal therapy) and Dental Implantology.

• Utilization of low radiation/high resolution digital x-ray technology. (effecting an 80% reduction in radiation exposure).

• Secure on-line access of your records and radiographs for your general dentist, to ensure continuity of treatment.

• All levels of anesthesia from low detection local anesthesia to general anesthesia.

• Utilization of the endodontic operating microscope in virtually all procedures.

• Continuous monitoring of all patients during treatment for heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation utilizing state of the art pulse oximeters.

Antibiotics

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:40:29 +0000

Why won’t antibiotics solve my root canal problem?
Antibiotics help your immune system to fight pathological (disease causing) microorganisms. Once a pulp is diseased, injured, inflamed or dead, the blood flow into the pulp is compromised or non-existent if the pulp. This creates an ideal environment for the microorganisms to live inside of the tooth. Since blood flow is limited or non-existent, antibiotics are not carried into the pulp to affect the microorganisms. Therefore, they flourish in the pulp chamber inside the tooth no matter how much antibiotics you take. The antibiotic is effective in the supporting tissues around the tooth such as the gingiva (gums), mucosa, jaw bone and periodontal ligament. But the disease or dead pulp provides a constant source of microorganisms to re-infect the tissues. Once the root canal is done and the home for the microorganisms is eliminated, healing will follow and antibiotics will be effective in assisting the surrounding tissues to heal. It should be noted that the latter tissues can heal on their own without the help of the antibiotics once the root canal is completed.

Persistent discomfort after a root canal

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:34:01 +0000

How can I have pain after my root canal treatment was completed?
As we discussed previously the root canal procedure involves removing the pulp tissue and or its remnants and replacing it with a filling. The purpose of this process is to simply eliminate the home for bacteria. If the discomfort after the root canal is short term, one or two weeks, it may just be that the supporting tissues are simply irritated and will calm down. Since the space the pulp occupies is really a complex system of canals, it may be that the entire pulp was not removed nor its space completely filled in when the root canal was initially done. Since there are small openings in the root surface where the blood vessels enter to feed the pulp, the bacteria that persist in the root canal system and their toxins the pulp chamber into the surrounding tissues and pain or swelling results. In this case re-treatment of the root canal may be necessary with the goal of more completely removal of the pulp tissue and filling of the root canal system.

Cold sensitivity

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:32:26 +0000

My dentist told me I need a root canal when I went to see him for cold sensitivity on one tooth. Why do I need a root canal?
Intolerable cold sensitivity on an individual tooth means that there is a pulp inside of your tooth that is inflamed and hypersensitive and will most likely decompose and cause infection. So a root canal is advised to alleviate your pain and prevent future infection. Once the pulp is gone the tooth cannot feel cold sensitivity and once the space where the pulp lived is filled in, bacteria cannot survive and the possibility of infection is eliminated.

Why would I need a root canal?

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:25:05 +0000

Why would I need a root canal?

Every tooth has a soft center which contains an organ called the pulp. It is commonly called the “nerve” of the tooth, but it is actually just tissue that once formed the tooth around itself. Because the pulp tissue retains a very limited circulation at the tip of the root, it is very delicate. If the pulp is irritated by a cavity (or its subsequent deep restoration) or a fracture or a blow to the tooth, it can become inflamed and eventually die. The problem is that this creates an ideal environment for bacteria. The bacteria can then multiply and exit the chamber of the dead pulp through the small opening where the blood vessels entered at the tip of the root. The result? Infection in the jaw bone with accompanying swelling and pain. The solution? Take away the home for the bacteria by removing the dead pulp and filling in the space. This procedure is called root canal therapy. If done correctly, meaning all of the pulp is removed and all of the residual space is filled in, the infection will heal and the problem is solved. This procedure without exception should be completely painless and require one or two visits to complete.